Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal career continues despite Man Utd scandal

Stuart Telford

• 16 Mar 2023 16:07 GMT
• 3 min read

Cristiano Ronaldo will be called up to the Portugal squad for the first time since concluding his acrimonious switch from Manchester United to Al-Nassr in the winter.

Ronaldo went to the World Cup in Qatar in December as a free agent, having been released by Man Utd after a difficult six months with the club.

Erik ten Hag had dropped the five-time Ballon d'Or winner before the Portuguese let rip in an unsanctioned interview with Piers Morgan in December. Player and club parted ways "by mutual consent" days later.

READ: Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr: goals, assists, results & fixtures

Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr in January, the move making him the highest-paid player in history on €200 million a year. He has scored eight goals in nine games for them since, but the Saudi Pro League remains a relative lesser light and there were question marks over his international future.

But new Portugal manager Roberto Martinez - who replaced Fernando Santos in January - has little doubts about the 38-year-old, who is country's 118-goal top scorer.

Martinez: Ronaldo deserves respect

"We're going to start a footballing process to try to get to know all the players that could make it to the national team," said the Spaniard, previously in charge of Belgium, on taking the Portugal job.

READ: Messi to Saudi Arabia! - Pro League to give Leo DOUBLE Ronaldo salary

"We're going to give all the players an opportunity and respect all those who are already in the national team. Cristiano is one of them.

"I'm delighted to be able to have them by my side. It's a process that we have to face naturally, with responsibility, and we're going to make important decisions for the team."

Ronaldo has the joint-most caps in international football with 196 - a record he shares with Kuwait's Bader Al-Mutawa.

He might have to share that record for some time yet. Kuwait are in action against the Philippines next Thursday, at the same time as Portugal take on Liechtenstein.